<em>Parrotia persica</em>, Persian ironwood: planting, pruning and care

Description and botany

Persian parrotia (Parrotia persica) belongs to family Hamamelidaceae and is now the only species of genus Parrotia though several varieties exist. This small tree or large bush originates from mixed forests of northern Iran and eastern Caucasus, hence the species name “persica,” but is becoming rare in its natural habitat. It is known as “ironwood” owing to hardness of its wood. Another of its (many) nicknames is “parrot tree” because of the flamboyant colours of its foliage in autumn. This bush can also be found in older works under the name Hamamelis persica.

Ironwood is a large bush or small tree measuring between 5 and 10 m tall in cultivation, but can reach up to 20 m in its native range. It has a stocky trunk and a very spreading habit, wider than tall (often nearly 10 metres wide). Branches of older specimens arch to the ground. Its root system is extensive and the tree even tends to sucker.

Bark is grey but peels with time to reveal yellowish patches, somewhat like that of a plane. Young shoots are green-brown with small hairs and buds very dark purple in colour, themselves slightly pubescent.

Deciduous foliage is made up of ovate leaves about 8 cm long, shiny green in spring and summer (reddish at bud burst period) but gradually becomes very colourful in autumn with colours appearing at the same time: green, yellow, orange and crimson to purple. Upper half of the leaf is edged with rounded teeth and veins are prominent, somewhat reminiscent of beech leaf. It is therefore also nicknamed “Persian beech“.

Flowers are hermaphrodite, small and without petals, consisting of scarlet stamens surrounded by brown bracts. They appear directly on branches at the end of winter (late February–early March) just before leaf emergence. The flowers, although inconspicuous, are very melliferous and provide an excellent food source for early pollinators at end of winter. Fruit resulting from fertilization somewhat resembles a walnut and is a downy 4-chambered capsule. Seeds are light brown.

Parrotia persica : flowering, spring foliage then autumn foliage, attractive bark

Parrotia reaches sexual maturity at about ten years. It is a relatively slow-growing tree, gaining only about 30 cm per year, but can easily live two hundred years.

please note : only one species now remains in genus Parrotia. Formerly it contained others such as Parrotia jacquemontiana later Parrotiopsis jacquemontiana and Parrotia subaequalis later Shaniodendron subaequalis.

Our favourite varieties

Parrotia persica - Persian Ironwood

This is the type species. Parrotia persica is a small deciduous tree that displays magnificent autumn colours blending green, yellow, orange, red and purple. Its unobtrusive spring flowering is very melliferous. In winter it remains striking as it reveals its beautifully peeling bark.

• Flowering time March to May
• Height at maturity 8 m

See the product sheet

Parrotia persica Vanessa - Persian Ironwood

Parrotia persica 'Vanessa' is an older horticultural selection still much appreciated for its almost columnar habit, considerably narrower than the type species. That makes it particularly valuable in small gardens while retaining Parrotia type qualities, notably incredible autumn colours.

• Flowering time March to May
• Height at maturity 6,50 m

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Parrotia persica Persian Spire - Persian Ironwood

Parrotia persica 'Persian Spire®' is a brand-new variety with a narrow habit and compact growth. Its foliage is remarkably colourful from spring to autumn, emerging purple at bud burst period, turning in summer to glossy green broadly marginate with purple before the autumn blaze of yellow, orange and red. Compact, it will fit into any garden, even the smallest, or can easily be grown in a container.

• Flowering time March to May
• Height at maturity 7 m

See the product sheet

Parrotia persica Bella - Persian Ironwood

Parrotia persica 'Bella®' is a variety of Persian ironwood that differs from the type species mainly by its less wide habit, making it easier to adopt in a medium-sized garden. Its narrow, semi-open ovate crown, fairly dense, will not exceed 4.50 m to 5 m wide.

• Flowering time March to May
• Height at maturity 10 m

See the product sheet

Sycoparrotia semidecidua Purple Haze

(x) Sycoparrotia semidecidua 'Purple Haze' is a hybrid between Parrotia persica and Sycopsis sinensis. It is a large bush reaching 3 to 4 m in height with a 4 to 6 m spread, whose foliage and habit show intermediate characteristics between those of its two parents.

• Flowering time March to May
• Height at maturity 4 m

See the product sheet

Planting Parrotia

Where to plant Parrotia?

Parrotia persica is a very hardy tree, as it withstands frosts down to -25 °C. However, they dislike heat and are vulnerable to drought, although they become fairly resilient once well established. Avoid planting them south of the Loire, as climate there is not suitable.

This tree prefers rich, deep and acidic soils (autumn colours are then much more beautiful) but tolerates calcareous soil. It also needs soil to remain cool, but well drained. It can easily cope with clay soils.

Ideal situation is a sunny position, but not scorching, or partial shade, protected from drying wind.

Allow plenty of space for this tree, which tends to spread widely: at least 10 metres wide when mature. Unless you choose a narrower-habit variety such as ‘Vanessa’ or ‘Persian Spire’.

When to plant?

Best planting period is autumn (November–December). Can also plant in early spring if soil is not frozen.

How to plant?

• Immerse the pot of your new Parrotia in a bucket of water for a few minutes to thoroughly re-moisten the rootball
• Dig a hole twice as deep and wide as the rootball of the tree
• Throw a few handfuls of well-rotted compost into the bottom of the hole
• If your soil is heavy, you can add some sand, or even a few gravels to improve drainage
• Begin to gently tease out the roots.
• Place the remainder of the rootball at bottom of hole, spreading the roots out
• Refill the hole with excavated, previously loosened soil
• Firm the soil gently around the tree with your hands (not with your feet!)
• Give 10 litres of water at the base to reduce risk of air pockets between roots and soil
• Apply a mulch to protect the young tree from drought or plant a few small groundcover plants at the base (creeping bugle, sweet woodruff, Glechoma, Geranium macrorrhizum, …).

Maintenance, pruning and care

Care

Very little care is required for parrotias. Mulching is highly recommended, especially during the first years, to keep soil cool and retain moisture in summer.

During periods of drought, check whether your Parrotia persica is suffering from lack of water.

Pruning

No pruning is really necessary. If necessary, you can remove, just before resumption of growth (February), fragile, dead or crossing branches to preserve a harmonious and healthy habit.

Possible diseases

This bush or small tree is not affected by any disease and is not attacked by any pests.

Multiplication

Sowing

Sowing is difficult and slow; seeds take 18 months to germinate with a very low germination rate.

Layering

In reality, the tree layers naturally. Layering by pegging down is an easy operation to carry out in March–April. Bend down a few healthy flexible shoots until they reach the soil. First split the bark of these shoots over a few centimetres and to a depth of about 2 mm. Bury your layers at the wounded section and secure each with a stainless-steel “U” peg. Keep moist and wait at least two years before separating the layer from the parent plant. Remove it gently once it has rooted then place it in a pot.

Propagation by cuttings

In June, you can attempt propagation by cuttings of semi-ripe shoots under a propagator. Take young shoots and cut the heel on a slant. Remove leaves, keeping only one to reduce evapotranspiration. The substrate must be light; a mix of 50% compost for sowing and 50% sand will be perfect. Keep moist but not waterlogged. Unrooted cuttings do not “drink” and excessive moisture will cause rot. First roots will appear by autumn, but it is better to wait until spring to repot. Wait at least until the following autumn, or preferably the following year, to plant in soil.

Grafting

Parrotie is grafted onto Hammamelis: this is normal, they belong to the same botanical family. This technique should be reserved for specialists only (especially given cost of Hammamelis…). If you still want to try, the method known as ‘cleft’ grafting is used and is performed in February.

Pairing Parrotia with other plants in the garden

Within a grove of autumn-coloured foliage

If gardeners are asked which season is their favourite, some will answer spring, but many will also say autumn. Autumn in the garden and in nature is indeed a magical season. If you love warm-coloured foliage at this time of year, why not create a grove of bushes renowned for their autumn colours. Parrotia persica ‘Persian Spire’ takes little room in width, making it perfect to insert into a grove in companion with a Liquidambar styraciflua ‘Gum Ball’, a reduced-growth variety with multicoloured autumn foliage. A Forthergilla major will complete the picture while also adding spring interest thanks to its charming flowering. If you are looking for another member of the Hamamelidaceae family to accompany Parrotia and Forthergilla, opt of course for a witch-hazel. For example this friendly Hamamelis vernalis ‘Amethyst’ with scarlet autumn foliage followed by deep pink winter flowering.

An example of a grove association: Parrotia persica ‘Persian Spire’, Liquidambar styraciflua ‘Gum Ball’ with incredible autumn foliage and Fothergilla major, to which you can add a Hamamelis with superb winter flowering such as ‘Amethyst’

Within a free-standing four-season hedge

Parrotia persica ‘Vanessa’ does not take much room in width, so it will be perfectly suited to a free-standing hedge of colourful bushes by foliage and flowering. To keep year-round interest, play on spring and summer flowering, autumn foliage colours and winter presence with coloured bark or particular habit, so Parrotia does not steal the show too often. Amelanchier in spikes is perfect in a free hedge: attractive at flowering and during the bud burst period in spring, and its foliage takes lovely tones in autumn. For summer, a simple but effective Buddleia davidii ‘Empire Blue’, a superb variety flowering from July to September in long blue spikes. To complete the scheme, plant plenty of dogwoods with decorative wood and foliage that fall to hand. As a rough guide: Cornus alba ‘Aurea’ with golden foliage all season and bright red branches in winter and Cornus sericea ‘Cardinal’ whose fresh green foliage develops reddish tones in autumn before also revealing red wood in winter.

An example of an association in a four-season hedge: Parrotia persica ‘Vanessa’ with lovely autumn colours, Amelanchier spicata which flowers in spring and also offers attractive autumn foliage, Buddleia davidii ‘Empire Blue’, Cornus alba ‘Aurea’ with golden foliage all season and Cornus sericea ‘Cardinal’ interesting for its autumn colours and red stems in winter

Solitary at centre of a short grass meadow

The species type Parrotia persica gains some width over time (10 metres!) but it is also a very beautiful small tree to grow alone to let it reach full stature. Standing proudly in centre of an open part of your garden, it will quickly become a focal point that lights up hearts in autumn when it is covered in gold and fire. Moreover, it will provide beneficial shade to many lovely plants. If soil is sufficiently acidic, why not try to adorn its base with heathers, azaleas or Pieris which will thrive in shade of this fine tree.

→ Discover more association ideas with Parrotia in our advice sheet !

Did you know?

• The genus name Parrotia is derived from the name of its discoverer, German naturalist F.W. Parrot.
• It is a melliferous plant that attracts pollinators at a crucial time in the season, the end of winter and the very beginning of spring.
• Parrotia persica was not introduced to Europe until 1841.
• Its vernacular name “iron tree” is inspired by its exceptionally hard wood.
• The wood of Parrotia has been used to make tools for more than 2,000 years.